Multiple pen holder



May 6, 1969 D. N. DUMAS MULTIPLE PEN HOLDER Filed Jan. 12

FIG. 8

I N VEN TOR. 0o/v44 0 N. 0 0M4 3, BY

,J y I f .(mm-n WM XQ /ua United States Patent U.S. Cl. 401--35 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A holder mounting a plurality of pens for simultaneous use. The holder includes a pair of clamp plates positionable on opposite sides of the pens. Each clamp plate has vertically elongated, spaced slots corresponding to the number of pens. Screw elements carried by each pen have threaded end portions projecting into corresponding slots in each clamp plate.Nuts threaded onto the threaded end portions of the screw elements fix the clamp plates to the pens in clamping relation. Each pen can be raised or lowered relative to another, by loosening the nuts and moving the pen relative to the vertical slots in each clamp plate, and then retightening the nuts. In this manner, the distance between the points of each pen can be varied.

This invention relates to a writing instrument accessory, and more particularly, to an accessory consisting of a unique pen holder mounting a plurality of pens.

It is often necessary or desirable to simultaneously produce a plurality of spaced, co-extensive lines on a piece of paper. For example, in writing or reproducing a musical composition, a plurality of spaced, co-extensive lines must be used to draw a musical scale. Also, ledgers or other records must be kept in columnar form in which a plurality of co-extensive lines is necessary to separate the columns. In the art of lettering and drawing, duplicate and even triplicate lines are sometimes employed to provide a decoration, a guide, or an aesthetic effect. Even when writing in longhand, it may be advantageous to simultaneously sign a number of documents.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a device for holding a plurality of pens together, so they may be used simultaneously.

Another object of this invention is to provide a multiple pen holder of the character indicated which is adjustable to vary the spacing between simultaneously drawn lines or written words.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the multiple pen holder of the present invention, holding three pens together;

FIGURE 2 is a side view in elevation of the pen holderand pens illustrated in FIGURE 1, with a cover shown in section;

FIGURE 3 is an end view in elevation of the pen holder and pens illustrated in FIGURE 2, as seen from the left-hand side of FIGURE 2, with their cover shown in section;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, without the pen cover, and illustrating an adjusted position of the pens and pen holder, in which a larger space is created between the points of the pens;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of an element of the pen holder;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of another element of the pen holder; and

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the pen cover.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate the elements throughout the several views, a pen holder 10 has been illustrated holding to gether three pens 12, 14 and 16 for simultaneous use. While three pens have been illustrated, it will be subsequently understood that this number is illustrative only, and any convenient number could be used.

The pen holder 10 includes parallel, planar plates 18 and 20 for clamping the pens 12, 14 and 16 together. Each plate includes a series of spaced, vertically elongated slots 22. The number of slots provided depends upon the number of pens to be held by pen holder 10. As illustrated in the drawing, three slots 22 are provided in each plate 18 and 20 corresponding to the three pens 12, 14 and 16.

Each pen 12, 14 and 16 includes a vertically elongated barrel, housing a conventional ink cartridge 24. The pens are modified by cutting a narrow, coplanar, laterall extending slot 26 in opposed sides of their barrels. The lateral dimension of slot 26 is larger than the maximum width of a screw element 28.

A screw element 28 is positioned through opposed, coplanar slots 26 in each pen, prior to insertion of ink cartridge 24. Screw element 28 includes threaded end portions 30 and 32, joined by a semi-circular portion 34. When positioned in the barrel of a pen, threaded end portions 30 and 32 project outwardly of slots 26, as clearly shown in FIGURE 4. After screw element 28 is positioned within the barrel of a pen, the ink cartridge 24 is inserted longitudinally and is surrounded by the semi-circular portion 34 of the screw element. Ink cartridge 24 will prevent extensive movement of the screw element 28 through slots 28 by abutment with semi-circular portion 34, and tends to center the screw element to assure projection of threaded end portions 30 and 32.

The projecting threaded end portions 30 of screw elements 28 are positioned through the slots 22 in clamp plate 18, while the threaded end portions 32 are positioned through the slots 22 in the opposite clamp plate 20. Washers 35 and nuts 36 are then tightened on end portions 30 and 32 of the screw elements 28 to cause plates 18 and 20 to clamp pens 12, 14 and 16 tightly together.

When not in use, the points of pens 12, 14 and 16 can be covered by a rectangular container or cover element 40, wide enough to snugly receive the pens. After the cover is removed, free-hand, spaced, coextensive lines can then be drawn with pens 12, 14 and 16, as the pens will write in unison when used. If only two pens are needed, one of the pens may be raised relative to the other by loosening its nuts 36 and sliding its screw element 28 in a slot 22.

If it is desired to increase the distance between the drawn lines, it is only necessary to loosen nuts 36, lower pen 12 in opposing slots 22 relative to pen 14, raise pen 16 in opposing slots 22 relative to pen 14, and retighten the nuts 36. A level plane such as a desk or table top may be used for this adjustment to make sure all the pens touch the paper. As illustrated in FIGURE 5, when the pens are again presented to the writing paper in unison, their points are spaced a greater distance apart than that shown in FIGURE 2.

In order to tighten and loosen nuts 36, a wrench 38 can be provided for convenience on one of the pens. As shown in FIGURE 3, wrench 28 includes a central opening receiving a split, plastic detent 40 integral with pen 12.

Detent 40 includes hemispherical ends 42 and 44, which when compressed towards each other will pass through wrench 38, and after passage expand to prevent removal of the wrench unless it is strongly pulled away from the barrel of pen 12.

While the pens have been illustrated as substantially square in cross-section for greater surface contact with plates 18 and 20, they could have cylindrical barrels. Also, the pens include vent holes 42, which are not covered by the clamping structure.

While a specific embodiment of my invention has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for holding a group of writing implements for simultaneous use comprising a first clamp plate adapted to be positioned in contact with one side of said group of implements, a second clamp plate adapted to be positioned in contact with an opposite side of said group of implements, a plurality of slots in each clamp plate corresponding in number to the number of writing implements to be held by said apparatus, and fastener means adapted to be carried by each writing implement and to project laterally from the sides thereof through opposed slots in said first and second clamp plates for fixing said implements to said clamp plates.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said slots in said clamp plates are vertically elongted, thereby permitting vertical adjustment of each writing implement relative to said clamp plates.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fastener means include threaded projections adapted to be carried by said writing implements and to project laterally from the sides thereof through opposed slots in said first and second clamp plates, and nuts threadedly secured to said projections in abutment with said clamp plates.

.4 4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fastener means include a substantially semi-circular central portion having laterally extending threaded projections adapted to project laterally from the sides of said writing implements through opposed slots in said first and second clamp plates, and nuts threadedly secured to said projections in abutment with said clamp plates.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said slots in said clamp plates are vertically elongated, thereby permitting vertical adjustment of each writing implement relative to said clamp plates.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said clamp plates are substantially planar.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 including a wrench for tightening and loosening said nuts adapted to be carried by one of said writing implements.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 384,101 6/ 1888 Warner.

883,009 3/ 1968 Gee. 1,312,440 8/ 1919 Frings. 1,625,860 4/19'27 Mach 401-- X 3,164,906 1/1965 Andaloro.

FOREIGN PATENTS 357,413 8/ 1922 Germany.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 33-41; 401-495 

